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Hello everyone, I just wanted to share my success. I have had a struggle with my first 10 weeks with my sleeve. It was not an easy initial transition. However I have stayed the course(no other option) and did my part to accept and embrace my sleeve and with good results. I went to my doctor for my 10 week follow up after my 2nd scope/dilation and things are looking up. I haven´t had complications since last Sunday and according to the scale ( I don´t have a scale-just wait until doc appointments to weigh in) I have lost a total of 55+ lbs as of yesterday. I am now 282.6. I am very pleases with myself and am even more motivated to continue my journey forward. I was cleared to go back to work next week too. I am getting better, feeling more motivated and getting ready to really take on the weight loss focus of this journey. I just wanted to share with those of you who may be struggling with adapting to your sleeve, or those recently post op. It can and will get better. We are all so unique and so are our journeys. If you are struggling today, just continue along the journey. It is okay to get frustrated, and even sad, but also know that you will get better and feel better at some point. After 9 weeks of feeling miserable, things finally fell into place for me. Thank you to all of the vets and newbies who offered me support either directly via post or by sharing their own struggles and successes. I would have struggled so much more if I had not had my VST community to support me these last 10 weeks. OMG....I have lost 55 lbs in 2 months....mind bomb! It is so surreal that it takes the mind time to acclimate. Next goal is to work on loosing another 45lbs. That will be a 100lb weight loss. I have to have milestone goals along this journey to enjoy those victories. Doctor wants me to get to 188ish as my goal weight(haven´t been that weight since senior year in HS). He said that is based upon my height(5´7) and wanting me to be below BMI of 30. Of course I had to ask, what the time frame was for that goal. He said within the next year and a half. I figure that is manageable. Before the sleeve, I would have not believed it possible. So onward and upwards. I guess I will try to figure out how to post some pics now. Have a great day my friends and stay positive.

Before surgery the only way I knew how to switch things up on a diet was to increase carb levels to shock my system. I am not going to add carbs to my system. So when you say add something or shock your system, what do you guys do to do that so I can break out of this plateau that I've been at for the past week or two? By carbs I mean BAD CARBS .... Please don't anyone freak out... I have fruit & veggies.... Yes I get good carbs... No I don't eat bread or rice or toast or crackers etc, & won't. ????????thanks everyone ????????????????

When I stall I push the fluids and the proteins, lessen the calories & carbs/sugars, increase my walking and go back to basics. This seems to help. After 6 mos it isn't a drastic weight loss like before though so if I continue to lose a pound or 2 a week I am happy. It is when the scale stoos moving altogether that I really switch it up.

Oh hell ya I was excited...could wait to get the band....I also expected post op would be much easier than it was for me but 4 weeks post op now and feelin much much better!!!!! :clap2:

Hello all, I am getting ready to begin the process for getting the sleeve hopefully. I have my first appointment this week with my Medical Doctor and psychologist. I hope I can get approved for real. I haven't been to the doctor in years almost 10 so I am scared with what they may say and if that may have any complications. I'm 480 6'6. I am pretty active. I just started back working out. Been playing basketball 2-3 times a week. Don't have as much energy as the competition lol. Any tips on how I can be successful??

I had a lap band and stomach plication performed on June 28th of 2010. At first the weight loss was awesome and I was so happy with my important and expensive decision to have the surgery. But since the middle part of November I have been really struggling. I had the surgery because of my obvious issues with food. I had thought that after enduring the pain of surgery the result would be that it would be difficult for me to overeat. I hope that you do a better job of listening than I did. When they said weight loss surgery is only a tool, that is exactly what they meant. My father had a bypass performed back in 1972 and he was able to eat all and whatever he wanted and he lost weight almost without any willpower at all. He also had to take a ton of vitamins, shots, and suffered with kidney stones the remainder of his life. The surgery finally took his life about 7 years ago. Because of that I kept thinking my surgery would produce spectacular results. However, what I am finding is I will be on a strict low calorie diet the rest of my life, or, I will gain weight again. I have regained 40 of the 65 pounds that I had lost and it has left me feeling frustrated and upset with myself. I feel so mad at me for failing. I can not help but feel shame for my regression. I am going back next week to visit my surgeons office and I am not looking forward to it because I hate failure. Please don't do as I have. I have almost had to start from scratch but I can not let my self down. I wish there was a good support group; near me but I really don't have that option. Good luck to all of you and I have been encouraged by finding this sight. It is the closest thing to a support group I have found.

I'm 2 weeks post and have only lost 12 I haven't lost any weight this week (((

I hit a stall for weeks. I was meticulous about measuring and tracking my food and with what I was eating, there was no way I could maintain my weight. Then I started working out, and the scare started moving. So start moving, you'll get there. And 12 lbs in 2 weeks is incredible.

If you had asked this 2 days after my surgery I would have said no. I was pretty uncomfortable and I couldnt get the percoset down and had to get liquid pain meds from my surgeon so I went a day and a half without any pain meds. But now, yes. Definitely! I wouldn't change a thing, except to have maybe asked for liquid pain meds before I left the hospital. :scared2: I dont think I would do anything differently, either. I was told to do a one week pre-op diet and on my own I decided to do two weeks of nothing but Optifast which I'm glad I did. It really jump started my weightloss. I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out :wink: Just make sure you follow your surgeon's pre-op and post-op diets to the T. If you're gonna do this you might as well do it right

If you had asked me this question the 1st week after surgery I would have said it was the worst decision I've ever mad in my life!! Today..THE BEST DECISION I'VE EVER MADE IN MY LIFE!!! The things I would change.... Not comparing myself and my weight loss to anyone else-VERY self sabotaging!! Would have done it 3 years sooner!!! Other than that..NOTHING!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE MY BAND!!!

I would do it again. It has now been a year since my band. I feel so much better. I have more to lose, but I know I am going to get there. 1. Get involved in a support group and stay involved. I started, but do to my scheduling I couldn't continue. You get so much support from your bariatric community. They care about you and want to see you succeed and will help you to get to goal. 2. Get counseling right away. I started counseling when I started thinking about surgery. I learned a lot about my behaviors. Having the band does not make those feelings for eating go away. Counseling gave me the tools I needed for my emotional eating. 3. You still have to exercise. Even if you only walk 30 min. a day 5 days a week...every bit helps. If you exercise, you will be less likely to get too far off track. 4. DON'T FORGET....THE BAND IS ONLY A TOOL! NOT A CURE. Good luck and best wishes. :scared2:

No my port does not show through my skin. I can feel it but I think you would have to become rail thin to even have it stick out that much. None of my fills ever hurt. More pressure then anything. Yes I think it will help for a lifetime I have only had two fills in three years Yes I lost some hair and still do three years post op but its nothing you can physically see. The only issue I have had is not being able to eat or tolerate meat. I have become a vegan but its all good I dont mind being a vegan

GUYS ROOM Hey, that is great. glad you are recovering fast. first month is super exciting. brace yourself for the week 3 stall. take care!!!

Forgot to mention one thing. New Clothes! Be very careful with this. I had my surgery on a Thursday and returned to work the following Tuesday. I headed out at lunch to Men's Wearhouse because my pants were litterally falling off me. I got into my new size and bought two pairs of trousers the next size down. My Sunday of that week I was out of the trousers I had purchased on Tuesday. The weight and inches come off very quickly in the beginning which is a great motivator. Just don't buy two many clothes the first few months. You're going to really like shopping now!

Would you do it again ? What would you do differently to improve your success? What would you suggest that I not do ? Looking for all the insight I can find. Getting ready for surgery. Endoscopy was yukky last week. Still have gas !

Absolutely would do it again! The first few days are difficult but bearable. Yes you're uncomfortable- the pressure from swellling & gas pain. If you have hernia repair which it seems about half of us on here have, the discomfort is more. But its a surgery- its inevitable to be uncomfortable. Are you in agony and brought to tears by it? Far from it. At least for me. I took liquid loritab (yes ofcourse all ur meds should either be liquid or you need to buy a pill crusher ($4 at walmart!). A crushed pill can be put over a tablespoon of something flavorful to avoid the taste. (Protein shake or juice) That's this nurses trick! =) For me cutting out rice & bread during pre op dieting helped curb the withdrawls during post op diet. I always loved carbs but I haven't had it for so long it doesn't bother me. Same goes for soda! Be prepared at home pre op. Have your supply of broths, Protein drinks, crystal light, v8splash light (good way to get your veggie/fruits in!), gasX strips, heat pad, and the help of a friend or family member that you're comfortable with & can depend on. You will need help the first 24hrs- you will be out of it immediately post op til the anesethesia wears off. You may even need help getting on/off the toilet. (Bending hurts!!) You should know you will be passing a lot of gas due to the co2 used during surgery... so if you're like me & don't like tooting in front of the bf- warn him!!haha =) If you live with ppl make sure they understand the process- it will help them be more supportive. I emptied my kitchen of temptation before the pre op diet- chocolate syrup, Cookies & all fatty condiments. My bf now eats light or fat free everything bc its all we have & its really not that different. You can't eat what isn't there. I recommend having a special day to weigh in and otherwise keep your scale put away. With the swelling & gas the first weeks your wt will fluctuate & it may throw you off your game if you don't necessarily see results daily. Keep in mind it takes 2-3 days to lose a single pound depending on your basal metabolic rate. (A deficit of 3500calories is equivilant to 1lb loss). Beware of bandster hell! You may take a while to find your sweet spot of restriction. I personally felt restriction from day 1 but from what I've read that's not common. Be prepared to use self control & will power for a while. Don't expect immediate rapid weight loss. People that expect to lose a lot immediately tend to have post op regret/depression. And for many of us depression leads to comfort eating. Excercise!! Lack of calories slows the metabolism so keep your body moving to keep it up & you can keep losing! Remember the band is a tool you have to do your part. Make smart food choices, do NOT drink with meals & do not eat or drink a lot of empty calories. And finally find & keep a support group! Accountability is essential for me. I tell certain people my losses & my slip ups. And if I slip I forgive myself & make a plan how not to do it again. Don't be too hard on yourself this is a learning process. Other bandsters will know exactly wat ur goin through & how you feel. The best ppl to advise you are those who have been there. Stay positive & inspired. You can do this!

Would you do it again ? Yes, Yes, yes & Yes (I am 8 weeks post-op) What would you do differently to improve your success? Differently? Not much, I think i was pretty well prepared. What would you suggest that I not do ? Yes on the support groups, I went to about 6 before surgery and go once a month now. Oh, and also please read as much as you can on here and in books. You can't expect the doctor or P.A. to tell you everything, and when a question comes up "after hours" it's great to have a book or these great people on the forum to help.There are a couple great books out there. It helped so much. GOOD LUCK!

I should have mentioned this to begin with. It really had not connected until a couple of you mentioned my mental state. I really had not thought I was letting this news affect me. I received news from my family doctor after my yearly physical that my PSA had indicated I needed to be checked for prostate cancer just before Thanksgiving. I had developed symptoms about the same time among which was fatigue. I was up to a 4 mile walk 6 days a week until this happened. I am still undergoing test at this time because I had developed a severe infection and it could very well be the cause of the high PSA. But I have to wait until March now for a biopsy to confirm or refute. Still it's just another excuse. I have determined not to dwell any longer on it and get back on track. You folks are the most inspiration I have had during this whole process. What a blessing this has been for me and others like us. Again, thank you all very much for your words of encouragement.

Yeah, I freaked out the first three months. I had really high expectations. I see my aunt who has been out 2+ years and she still loses a little here and there. I just take a moment to realize I eat way better than I ever did. I eat way less than I ever did. and I exercise way more than I ever did. I feel better than I have in years and look better too. I will be satisfied that this is where I am at this moment. And for the first time I will look forward to the future. chin up!

As soon as I progressed to a full diet I had a salad. That day!!! I went easy on things like cumber for awhile, but I LOVE salad! Because I chew it really well, the lettuce disolves to practically nothing, so I feel like I can eat a LOT. I'm 4 months out, and for the past month at least 2 nights a week I eat salad for dinner. I don't add meat, but I do put in a few nuts and some cheese to ramp up the protein.

How far out were you when you tried salad? How did it go for you? I am 8 weeks out tomorrow and I am dying for a salad.

Nesser, I am also scheduled for the 29th. I'm happy to find someone with the same band date as me! My surgeon requires a 2 week Medifast pre-op diet. I go for my Nutrition class and pre-op testing on April 10th. I'm guessing I will start the diet after that.

Hello everyone I was sleeved on 10/31/16 just about 2 weeks post-op. I have noticed some extreme changes to my emotions. Just about anything makes me cry, then I'm happy again lol. Does anyone know the reason for this or has anyone experienced this as well? Down 30 pounds. Does it have to do with dying fat cells? LOL Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

I have Anthem BCBS under the Kroger national plan. From orientation to surgery, the wait was about two months. Approval took two weeks. I was not required to do any supervised diet. I had to submit a list of what diets (ie Weight Watchers) I had done, the year done, and approx weight loss (the last two were more estimates). I did have to be above 40 bmi without comorbidities or above 35 bmi with 2+ comorbidities.

Make sure your fridges are stuffed with liquids and jellos and puddings and stuff for the first week or more. I spent my last weekend at the grocery store buying everything up....hahahaha I am now three months post-op and my fridge is STILL packed with drinks and puddings and stuff that I didn't get to while I was on liquids....